Electric signaling apparatus.



Patented Feb. n, I902.

(Application filed Aug. 5, 1890.)

(No Moda l.)

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UNTTED STATES FELIX BENEDICT HERZOG, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

ELECTRIC SIGNALING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 693,014, dated February 11, 1902.

Application filed August 5, 1890- Serial No. 361,048- (No model.)

To (all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FELIX BENEDICT HER- ZOG, Ph. D., a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Electric Signaling Apparatus, Circuits, and Methods, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a new form of annunciator for use with the common push-button circuit or with any other circuit which includes a number of lines variously known as section, individual, or call wires and to which it is otherwise adaptable.

The annunciator is shown in the drawing in sectional elevation. It consists of a frame or support 63. Suitably mounted and insulated from each other are pins or terminals 67, one for each outgoing circuit. Fastened to these, as by screw-nut 71, are the outgoing wires. The terminal pins all protrude from a front plate 64 and are arranged in one plane, so that when the front cover 7t is closed they are all in position to press against the surface 63. This surface is of some suitable yielding material-as, for instance, a mass of blotting-paper--and it is kept moistened with a solution of some fluid which when decomposed by the current deposits some visible substance on the electrode. Such a substance is a solution of iodid of potassium. As the small amount of liquid absorbed by the paper would soon evaporate, it is preferred to add a tank or reservoir in v the cover, and this is filled with some absorbent mass 78, such as sawdust or felt. This cover is guided by hinges and flanges so that the same spot on the surface will always come in contact with the same terminal. A stop 74 is so placed as to limit the fall of the cover when this is cleared by catch 70, which normally holds it so that it presses against all of the terminals. The circuit is from a distant circuit-closer, (not shown,) along the wire leading from it, to nut 71, pin 67, moist conducting-surface, through the absorbent mass to metal cover-hinge, and by wire 95, magnet or relay 72, and wire 96 to battery and by common return wire to the push -button. WVith proper current the electrolysis of the solution will leave a stain at the point of contact of the terminal of the operated circuit, and the current at the same instant operates the magnet-relay 72, which, closing the circuit of local battery 77 at contacts 75 76, energizes magnet 69 to ring its bell and operate the catch, which permits the front cover to fall and expose the mark. Suitable guiding indications on the dial or near it aid the operator in identifying the operated terminal.

In order that a mark once noted may not serve to confuse the operator subsequently, it'is important to hasten its fading, and this is an important element of this invention. This is produced by adding to the electrolyte some suitable element-as, for instance, hyposulfite of sodium. VVitha properly-graduated solution the mark may be arranged to fade in from a few seconds to a number of hours.

I do not limit myself to the specific details described.

I claim 1. A chemical annunciator comprisinga series of line-terminals, a cooperating markingsurface normally concealed and a magnetcontrolling means acting to exhibit the surface after passage of a current through a terminal- 2. The chemical annunciator comprising a series of lineterminals, a cooperating common retnrn connection, a magnet normally in series, and means acting to break the common return upon the passage of a current.

3. A chemical annunciator comprising a series of line-terminals, a cooperating common return connection, a magnet controlling means acting tointerrupt the circuit at the .operated terminal.

4. A chemical annunciator comprising a series of line-terminals, a cooperating markingsurface arranged to be brought into and out of contact with the electrodes and mechanism common to two or more of the electrodes for indicating that a signal has been sent, substantially as described.

5. A chemical annunciator comprising a'series of line-terminals, a cooperating markingsurface carried by a f ramework and arranged to be brought into and out of contact with the electrodes and a magnet controlling the position of the famework andthe said surface;

together with mechanism for indicating that a signal has been sent, substantially as described.

6. A chemical annunciator comprising a series of line-terminals, a cooperating markingsurface arranged to be brought into and out of contact with the electrodes and mechanism for indicating that a signal has been sent together with chemical substances incorporated with the surface and arranged and adapted to be alternately decomposed during the signal so as to produce a visible mark and subsequently to be altered so as to produce a disappearance of said mark.

7. A chemical annunciator comprising a series of line-terminals, a cooperating markingsurface arranged to be brought into and out of contact with the electrodes together with a reservoir holding a supply of electrolyte and arranged and adapted to feed this to the said surface.

8. A chemical annu nciator comprising a series of line-terminals, a cooperating markingsurface arranged tobe brought into and out of contact with the electrodes and a framework carrying this surface; together with an independent layer of absorbent packing for the same arranged to hold an electrolyte and to supply it to the said surface.

9. A chemical annunciator comprising a series of line-terminals, pins connected thereto, a cooperating marking-surface arranged to be brought into and out of contact with the pins, circuit connections arranged so that the pins act as electrodes of one polarity while the surface moistened by an electrolyte acts as an opposed pole; together with mechanism arranged to hold the surface against the pins and to permit it to be rocked away therefrom.

10. A chemical annunciator comprising a series of line-terminals, a cooperating marking-surface arranged to be brought into and out of contact with the electrodes and carrying a discoloring electrolyte; a support which carries the record-surface; and devices by which the support and record-surface may be jointly moved in to position to display the record and guides acting to control this motion to be in a direction which is not parallel to the area of normal contact between the terminals and the surface.

11. A chemical annunciator comprising a series of line-terminals, a cooperating marking-surface arranged to be brought into and out of contact with the electrodes and carrying a discoloring electrolyte; a support which carries the marking-surface; anddevices by which the support and record-surface may be jointly moved into position to display the record; and guides acting to control this motion to be in a direction which is at an angle to the area of normal contact between the terminals and the surface.

In testimony whereof this specification is signed, in the presence of two witnesses, on this 4th day of August, 1890.

F. BENEDICT IIERZOG.

Witnesses:

ARTHUR W. HOPKINS, PHILIP HERZOG. 

